ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Lions called almost the same number of passing and running plays in last week’s season-opening win over Tampa Bay, but coach Jim Schwartz said that wasn’t by design.

“We don’t aspire to be balanced,” Schwartz said Thursday. “We aspire to do whatever it takes to win the game and whatever makes sense with the defense that we’re playing. We never said we have to be balanced between the run and pass. Depends on what they’re doing and how we’re moving the ball.”

Matthew Stafford and the Lions rely more on their air attack than their ground game. (AP Photo)

Regardless of what defenses do or how many times they ran the ball last week (35 times in 68 plays), the Lions are a pass-first offense. Receiver Calvin Johnson is one of the greatest talents in the game, and quarterback Matthew Stafford has the ability and confidence to make any throw.

With rookie running back Mikel Leshoure out for the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon, the Lions don’t have the horses to be an effective downhill running team. But they can keep opponents honest with an array of gadget plays (like Nate Burleson's 20-yard end-around against Tampa) and versatile personnel groupings (led by multidimensional tight ends Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Scheffler and Will Heller). They also can use the short passing game as an extension of the run.

Jahvid Best carried a career-high 21 times last week, but he remains most effective as a receiver on the perimeter. As a rookie, Best was among the most productive receiving backs in the league with 58 catches.

Notes: First-round pick Nick Fairley said he started running this week, but he wouldn’t offer a prediction on when he’ll return from the broken left foot that has sidelined him since Aug. 1.

Fairley hasn’t practiced since sustaining the injury, and the Lions are deep enough on the defensive line that they are being patient with his recovery.

… Johnson (ankle) and safety Louis Delmas (hip) both missed their second straight day of practice, though both have said they intend to play Sunday against Kansas City. If Delmas can’t go, Erik Coleman would start in his place.